Dynamic Load Balancing for Layer-2 Link Aggregation

Abstract

Load balancing for layer-2 link aggregation involves initial assignment of link aggregation keys (LAGKs) and reassignment of LAGKs when a load imbalance condition that merits action is discovered. Load conditions change dynamically and for this reason load balancing tends to also be dynamic. Load balancing is preferably performed when it is necessary. Thus an imbalance condition that triggers load balancing is preferably limited to conditions such as when there is frame drop, loss of synchronization or physical link capacity exceeded.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0001]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]This application related to data communications and more particularly to load balancing in data communications via networks such as wireless communication networks.BACKGROUND[0003]Data communication network architectures often have a layered structure designed for communication protocols, such as TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / Internet protocol), OSI (open systems interconnection) and SNA (system network architecture), which implement the protocol stack. With such layered structure, the protocols enable an entity in one host to interact with a corresponding entity at...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]An embodiment of a system for providing dynamic load balancing of data communications is also possible with a plurality of physical links. The plurality of physical links may include wireless communication links. Each physical link is provided with capacity for transporting egress data or any part thereof. The physical links are configured as members of a link aggregation group in order to increase capacity. Such system may include a switch (or another routing device; collectively referred to as “switch”). The switch may include logic and storage operatively coupled to each other, wherein the storage embodies program code which operatively interacts with the logic to dynamically configure switching of egress data to the plurality of physical links based on changes in data traffic conditions.

[0014]Such system preferably includes an engine adapted to monitor data rates for each of the link aggregation keys based on egress data, as well a

Problems solved by technology

The changes may include failure or recovery of a physical link which result in diversion of egress data to remaining one or more of the physical links in the link aggregation group.

Thus, one of the conditions that may trigger dynamic load balancing when discovered is link capacity imbalance.

Other conditions, such as loss of one or more frames (frame drop condition) or loss of synchronization between such frames, may also trigger dynamic load balancing when discovered, alone or in combination with link capacity imbalance.

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